Carrier

ABSTRACT

A carrier for demountable attachment to an elongated cylindrical article such as a coil of sheet metal which facilitates moving and handling of the article.

Umted States Patent 1191 [111 3,744,836 Goettl July 10, 1973 [54] CARRIER 3,191,787 6 1965 Steam 294 74 x 1,175,739 3/1916 Florer 248/139 [761 f' 49,60 1,240,022 9/1917 Bruckner et a1. 248/139 Drive, Phoen1x,Ar1Z. 8501 2,778,671 1/1957 Langston 294/95 [22] Filed: Feb. 7, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 224,169 Primary Examiner-Even C. Blunk Assistant Examinerlohnny D. Cherry An -H b rt E. H J 52 us. (:1. 294/67 BA, 294/74, 294/95 er e aynes [51] Int. Cl. B66c l/l8 [58] Field of Search 294/67 R, 67 B, 67 BA,

294/67 DC, 94, 95, 97, 74, 86 R, 86 LS, 103 [57] ABSTRACT CG; 214/374 396; 248/139 141 A carrier for demountable attachment to an elongated cylindrical article such as a coil of sheet metal which [561 Reference facilitates moving and handling of the article.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,966,380 10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures l2/l960 Swenson 294/67 BA CARRIER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention This invention relates to carriers and more particularly to a carrier and handling device for elongated cylindrical articles such as sheet metal coils.

2. Description of the Prior Art Sheet metal is often supplied to a user in coils which may weigh in excess of two tons per coil. Coils of this weight are extremely difficult to handle particularly when the coil is to be loaded onto the spindle or cradle of a feeding machine.

Normally, these coils are shipped and stored in a vertical position and are mounted on a pallet. The coils are attached to the pallet by suitable straps to provide protection for the edges of the metal and also to provide means so that an off-loading device such as a fork lift can move the coils.

Due to the center of gravity of the coil being well above the pallet, moving by such equipment as the fork lift must be accomplished with caution to prevent tipping of the coil.

Feeding machines which dispense the sheet metal from the coils are constructed in two basic designs. The first type of the machine accomplishes the feeding by a power driven spindle which supports the inside diameter of the coil. The second type of machine supports and drives the coil in a cradle which engages the outside diameter of the coil.

Both of the above types of feeding machines support and dispense the sheet metal from horizontally positioned coils. Therefore, when a coil is to be loaded onto a feeding machine the coil must not only be moved to the machine site, it must also be tipped from a vertical position to a horizontal position.

Many machines for moving and handling cylindrical articles such as sheet metal coils have been developed. However, these machines are highly specialized expensive installations particularly suited for users who handle large quantities.

Due to the expense, complexity and space required by this specialized equipment, users of relatively small quantities of articles of this type cannot justify purchasing and installing the existing type of equipment.

In view of the foregoing, a need exists for a simple and inexpensive carrier and handling device for elongated cylindrical articles such as coils of sheet metal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention a new and useful carrier and handling device for cylindrical articles is disclosed.

The carrier includes an adjustable two-piece band which is adapted to be circumferentially demountably attached to the outside diameter of the article.

The band is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed trunions which extend therefrom and to which a lifting bail is pivotably mounted.

An adjustable counterweight is fixedly suspended from each of the trunions. to permit the band to be attached to the article without having to precisely locate it at the center of gravity.

An expandable core supporting device may be provided when the article is of the coiled sheet metal type. The core supporting device is connected to the bail so that it extends therefrom into frictional contact with the core of the coil to prevent axial slippage of the core.

Accordingly, it is one object of the present invention to provided a new and useful carrier and handling device for an elongated cylindrical article.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and useful carrier and handling device for an elongated cylindrical article which is simple to operate and inexpensive to construct.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and useful carrier and handling device for an elongated cylindrical article which facilitates moving and tipping of the article.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and useful carrier and handling device for a coil of sheet metal which may be adjusted to fit different diameter coils, and allows the device to be attached to the coil without requiring precise location with regard to the center of gravity.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and useful carrier and handling device for a coil of sheet metal which is adapted for attachment to the outside diameter of the coil and may also support the inside diameter thereof to prevent axial slippage of the core.

The foregoing and other objects of this invention, the various features thereof, as well as the invention itself, may be more fully understood from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a coil of sheet metal with the carrier and handling device of the present invention attached thereto;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top view of a portion of the carrier device of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top view showing a means for adjusting the device of the present invention to accept sheet metal coils of different outside diameters;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation of the device having an expandable core supporting apparatus of the present invention attached thereto; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged bottom view of the core supporting device of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference now to FIG. 1 wherein a carrier and handling device 10 of the present invention is shown installedon a sheet metal coil 12.

It should be understood that the device of the present invention may be employed on any elongated cylindrical article, and the sheet metal coil was selected for illustrative and descriptive purposes only.

Coils of sheet metal are shipped and stored on a suitable pallet 14 to which the coil is secured by a plurality of straps 16. Each of the straps 16 extend downwardly through the hollow core 18 of the coil 12, around one of the slats 20 of the pallet 14 and upwardly adjacent to the periphery 22 of the coil. The opposite ends of the straps 16 are joined by the usual sleeves 24 which are crimped or otherwise secured to form an endless strap.

Securing of the coil 12 to the pallet 14 in this manner ensures that the coil will be shipped and stored in a vertical position to prevent damage of the sheet metal. The

pallet 14 also protects the edges of the metal and provides means by which the coils can be movedby a fork lift or other suitable equipment.

The carrier and handling device of the present invention is provided with a circular band 26 which is formed of two semi-circular sections 28 and 30. The opposite ends of each of the sections 28 and 30 are provided with outwardly extending flanges 32 so that the sections may be coupled together by suitable bolts 34 to form the band 26.

Intermediate the flanges 32 of each of the semicircular sections 28 and 30 there is provided a radially extending trunion 36. The trunions 36 are positioned on their respective sections 28 and 30 so that when the sections are coupled to each other to form the band 26, the trunions 36 are diametrically opposed.

An adjusting means in the form of variously sized spacers 38 (one shown in FIG. 4) may be provided so that the band 26 can be varied in circumference to accommodate coils of different outside diameters. It should be noted that when adjustment in the circumference in the band 26 is required, two spacers 38 will be needed, one between each pair of adjacent flanges so that the diametrically opposed relationship of the trunions 36 is not affected.

As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, one or more elongated strips 40 of material such as rubber may be vulcanized or otherwise secured to the inner surfaces 42 of the band 26.

The strips 40 are provided to prevent slippage of the band 26 with respect to the coil 12. Also, the strips 40 will serve to protect the periphery of the coil from damage, for oftentimes the sheet metal is plated or otherwise coated.

It should be noted that the trunions 36 are identical structures, and therefore only one will now be described in detail.

As seen best in FIG. 2, the trunion 36 is formed with an inwardly disposed portion 44 and has an outwardly disposed reduced diameter portion 46.

The inner portion 44 has an adjustable counterweight apparatus 48 suspended therefrom. The counterweight apparatus 48 includes a downwardly extending arm 50 which is welded or otherwise secured on its upper end to the inner portion 44 of the trunion 36. An elongated slot 52 is formed in the arm 50, so that a weight 54 is slidably positionable in parallel relationship to an axis through the center of the circular band 26. The weight 54 may be locked in the position desired by a suitable nut 56 which threadingly engages a stud 58 which extends from the weight 54 through the slot 52.

Each of the trunions 36 is provided with one of the adjustable counterweights 48 so that the carrier and handling device 10 will be balanced. The weights 54 are provided so that the band 46 can be attached to the periphery 22 of the coil 12 intermediate the ends thereof without precisely locating it with regard to the center of gravity.

A lifting bail 60 is provided so that equipment such as a fork lift, chain hoist or other suitable mechanism may be employed to move the coil 12.

The bail 60 includes a pair of upwardly extending arms 62, each having a transversely disposed sleeve 64 suitably attached to its lower end. The sleeves 64 are journalled on the reduced diameter portions 46 of the trunions 36 thus allowing the coil 12, band 26 and counterweights 48 to be pivoted with respect to the bail 60.

As seen in FIG. 2, suitable friction'washers 66, lock washer 68 and nuts 70 secure the sleeves 64 to the trunions 36.

The upper ends of the arms 62 are interconnected with a bar 72 which is threaded on both of its ends. Spacer sleeves 74 may be added to or removed from the bar 72 to adjust the distance between the arms 62 in accordance with the size adjustment of the band 26 as hereinbefore described.

The upper ends of each of the arms 62 may be provided with a plurality of holes 75 formed therein to allow selective positioning of the bar 72. This adjust-- ment is desirable to accommodate coils of various sizes and insure that the coils will not strike the bar when the coils are pivoted about an axis 76.

The relationship of the coil size and the selective placement of the bar 72 is best seen in FIG. 5. The bar 72 is demountably positioned in the proper aligned pair of holes 75 of arms 62 so that the distance from the axis 76 to the bar 72 is greater than the distance from the axis 76 to point A of the coil.

The coil 12 may be moved from storage to a location adjacent to a feeding machine (not shown) by the carrier and handling device 10. The coil 12 is then pivoted about the axis 76 to a horizontal position. The pallet 14 is removed and the coil 12 is then ready to be installed on a spindle (not shown) of the feeding machine.

In most instances moving of the coils 12 will be accomplished with the pallet 14 attached thereto which serves to prevent slippage of the core 18 with respect to the periphery 22 of the coil 12.

However, in some instances it may be necessary to move a coil which has had the pallet 14 removed therefrom. An expandable core support 78 is provided to prevent axial slippage in these cases.

As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the core support 78 is suspended from the bar 72 by a hook 80 or other appropriate attaching device. The hook 80 is provided with a threaded shank 81 for engagement with the upper end of a turnbuckle 82. An elongated rod 84 is threaded into the lower end of the turnbuckle 82, and extends downwardly therefrom into the core 18 of the coil 12. An expander device 86 is mounted on the lower end of the rod 84 and is adapted to releasably engage the inside diameter of the coil 12.

The expander 86 includes a disc 88 having a centrally located bore 90 in which the lower end of the rod 84 is threaded. The rod 84 extends through the threaded bore 90 and has a circular plate 92 attached to its lower end.

The disc 88 is provided with a plurality of radial slots 94 in each of which a dog 96 is pivotably mounted by means of a pivot pin 98. The dogs 96 are positioned to extend angularly upwardly outwardly from the disc 88 and are operable between an extended position and a retracted position. On the upper end of each dog 96 a pivotably mounted shoe 100 is provided, and each shoe has an appropriate friction facing 102 thereon. The lower end of each of the dogs 96 is formed with a ledge 104 thereon for engaging the plate 92 of the rod 84 as will hereinafter be described in detail.

It will be noted that the pivot pins 98 are off center with respect to the longitudinal dimension of their respective dogs 96. This positioning distributes more than half of the weight of the dogs upwardly with respect to their pivot pins. This weight distribution causes the dogs 96 to be normally in the fully extended position, the extent of which is limited by their ledges 104 coming into contact with the plate 92 of the rod 84.

It may be seen now that movement of the expander 86 downwardly into the core 18 of the coil 12 will pivot the dogs 96 toward their retracted positions. Attempted movement of the coil downwardly or movement of the expander 86 upwardly will seat the dogs 96 against the inside diameter of the coil and thus cause a resistance to these movements.

When it is desired to remove the core support 78, the rod 84 is threaded downwardly by means of the turnbuckle 82. The plate 92 is thus lowered into contact with the ledges 104 which pivots the dogs 96 toward their retracted positions. The shoes 100 of the dogs 96 will be disengaged from the inside diameter of the coil 12 and may be easily removed.

While the principles of the invention have now been made clear and an illustrative embodiment, there will be immediately obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, the elements, materials, and components, used in the practice of the invention, and otherwise, which are particularly adapted for specific environments and operating requirements without departing from those principles. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover and embrace any such modifications within the limits of the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. A carrier and handling device for a cylinderical article comprising:

a. a circular band frictionally engagable about the periphery of the cylinderical article;

b. a pair of diametrically opposed trunions integral with said circular band and radially extending therefrom;

c. a lifting bail pivotably attached to said pair of trunions; and

d. an adjustable counterweight suspended from each of said pair of trunions.

2. A carrier and handling device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said circular band comprises:

a. a pair of semicircular sections each having a radially extending flange formed on each of its opposite ends, the flanges of one of said semicircular sections positioned to align with the flanges of the other of said semicircular sections; and

b. fastening means interconnecting the aligned flanges of said pair of semicircular sections for assembling said sections to form said circular band.

3. A carrier and handling device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said circular band further comprises a spacer interposed between each of the aligned flanges of said semicircular sections to adjust the circumference of said circular band.

4. A carrier and handling device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said lifting bail comprises:

a. a pair of arms each having a transversely disposed sleeve integral with one end thereof for pivotably attaching said bail to said trunions; and

b. a bar interconnecting the other end of each of said pair of arms.

5. A carrier and handling device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said lifting bail further comprises spacer means removably mounted on said bar to adjustably space said pair of arms.

6. A carrier and handling device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the other end of each of said pair of arms is provided with a plurality of holes formed therein at spaced intervals along the longitudinal dimension of said arms to allow demountable attachment of said bar to said arms at various distances from the transversly disposed sleeves thereof.

7. A carrier and handling device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said adjustable counterweight comprises:

a. an elongated arm integral with said trunion and suspended therefrom;

b. a weight slidably positionable along the length of said arm; and

c. means interconnecting said weight and said arm for lockingly positioning said weight along the length of said arm.

8. A carrier and handling device for a cylinderical coil of sheet metal having a hollow core, said device comprising:

a. a circular band frictionally engagable with the periphery of the coil;

b. means on said circular band for adjusting the cir cumference thereof;

c. a pair of diametrically opposed trunions integral with said circular band and radially extending therefrom;

d. a lifting bail pivotably connected to each of said pair of trunions, said bail being adjustable to accommodate circumfrential adjustment of said circular band, and to accommodate coils of various sizes;

e. a counterweight integral with each of said trunions and suspended therefrom, each of said counterweights adjustably positionably mounted in parallel relationship to an axis through the center of said circular band; and i f. a core support demountably suspended from said lifting bail and frictionally engagable with the inside diameter of the hollow core of the coil for preventing axial slippage of the core with respect to the periphery of the coil.

9. A carrier and handling device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said core support comprises:

a. a hook for demountable attachment to said bail,

said hook having a threaded shank;

b. a turnbuckle threadably attached on its upper end to the shank of said hook;

c. an elongated rod threadably engaging the lower end of said turnbuckle; and

d. expander means threadably attached to the lower end of said elongated rod for releasable engagement with the inside diameter of the hollow core of the coil.

10. A carrier and handling device as claimed in claim 9 wherein said expander means comprises:

a. a cylindrical disc having a centrally located bore formed therethrough for threadably receiving the lower end of said elongated rod, said disc having a plurality of radial slots formed therein;

b. a dog pivotably mounted in each of the slots of said disc, each of said dogs being pivotably mounted off center with respect to their longitudinal dimension for positioning more than half of the weight thereof above the pivot point to normally position said dogs in an angularly upwardly outwardly extended position;

c. a shoe pivotably mounted on the upwardly disdownward movement thereof with respect to said posed end of each of said dogs; and

d. a ledge formed on the downwardly disposed end of each of said dogs, said ledges positioned to be entended posltlon to a retracted posmon' gaged by the lower end of said rod upon threaded disc so as to pivot each of said dogs from the ex- 

1. A carrier and handling device for a cylinderical article comprising: a. a circular band frictionally engagable about the periphery of the cylinderical article; b. a pair of diametrically opposed trunions integral with said circular band and radially extending therefrom; c. a lifting bail pivotably attached to said pair of trunions; and d. an adjustable counterweight suspended from each of said pair of trunions.
 2. A carrier and handling device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said circular band comprises: a. a pair of semicircular sections each having a radially extending flange formed on each of its opposite ends, the flanges of one of said semicircular sections pOsitioned to align with the flanges of the other of said semicircular sections; and b. fastening means interconnecting the aligned flanges of said pair of semicircular sections for assembling said sections to form said circular band.
 3. A carrier and handling device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said circular band further comprises a spacer interposed between each of the aligned flanges of said semicircular sections to adjust the circumference of said circular band.
 4. A carrier and handling device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said lifting bail comprises: a. a pair of arms each having a transversely disposed sleeve integral with one end thereof for pivotably attaching said bail to said trunions; and b. a bar interconnecting the other end of each of said pair of arms.
 5. A carrier and handling device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said lifting bail further comprises spacer means removably mounted on said bar to adjustably space said pair of arms.
 6. A carrier and handling device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the other end of each of said pair of arms is provided with a plurality of holes formed therein at spaced intervals along the longitudinal dimension of said arms to allow demountable attachment of said bar to said arms at various distances from the transversly disposed sleeves thereof.
 7. A carrier and handling device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said adjustable counterweight comprises: a. an elongated arm integral with said trunion and suspended therefrom; b. a weight slidably positionable along the length of said arm; and c. means interconnecting said weight and said arm for lockingly positioning said weight along the length of said arm.
 8. A carrier and handling device for a cylinderical coil of sheet metal having a hollow core, said device comprising: a. a circular band frictionally engagable with the periphery of the coil; b. means on said circular band for adjusting the circumference thereof; c. a pair of diametrically opposed trunions integral with said circular band and radially extending therefrom; d. a lifting bail pivotably connected to each of said pair of trunions, said bail being adjustable to accommodate circumfrential adjustment of said circular band, and to accommodate coils of various sizes; e. a counterweight integral with each of said trunions and suspended therefrom, each of said counterweights adjustably positionably mounted in parallel relationship to an axis through the center of said circular band; and f. a core support demountably suspended from said lifting bail and frictionally engagable with the inside diameter of the hollow core of the coil for preventing axial slippage of the core with respect to the periphery of the coil.
 9. A carrier and handling device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said core support comprises: a. a hook for demountable attachment to said bail, said hook having a threaded shank; b. a turnbuckle threadably attached on its upper end to the shank of said hook; c. an elongated rod threadably engaging the lower end of said turnbuckle; and d. expander means threadably attached to the lower end of said elongated rod for releasable engagement with the inside diameter of the hollow core of the coil.
 10. A carrier and handling device as claimed in claim 9 wherein said expander means comprises: a. a cylindrical disc having a centrally located bore formed therethrough for threadably receiving the lower end of said elongated rod, said disc having a plurality of radial slots formed therein; b. a dog pivotably mounted in each of the slots of said disc, each of said dogs being pivotably mounted off center with respect to their longitudinal dimension for positioning more than half of the weight thereof above the pivot point to normally position said dogs in an angularly upwardly outwardly extended position; c. a shoe pivotably mounted on the upwardly disposed end of each of said dogs; and d. a ledge formed on the dowNwardly disposed end of each of said dogs, said ledges positioned to be engaged by the lower end of said rod upon threaded downward movement thereof with respect to said disc so as to pivot each of said dogs from the extended position to a retracted position. 